Eastern Michigan tight end Garrett Hoskins (85) was named to the John Mackey Award watch list on Tuesday.

AnnArbor.com file photo

Eastern Michigan senior Garrett Hoskins has already been listed among the best football players in the Mid-American Conference.

On Tuesday, he joined the nation's elite.

The 6-foot-2, 253-pound Grand Rapids native is one of 33 players named to the preseason watch list for the John Mackey Award, presented annually to the nation’s best tight end.

Hoskins -- named to Athlon Sports' 2012 preseason All-MAC first team -- caught 22 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns last season. He had at least one reception in 11 of the Eagles’ 12 games.

He is one of two MAC players on the watch list, joined by Bowling Green’s Alex Bayer. Big Ten players include Michigan State’s Dion Sims, Ohio State’s Jake Stoneburner, Indiana’s Ted Bolser and Wisconsin’s Jacob Pedersen.

A mid-season watch list will be released on Oct. 15 and semifinalists on Nov. 12. Three finalists will be named on Nov. 19 and the winner will be announced during the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards show on Dec. 6.